1939 Portrait dEmilie Marguerite Walter (MВmВ) Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1931-1942

The portrait presents a woman in profile, rendered with a deliberate distortion of features that moves beyond simple representation towards caricature. The subjects face is broad and round, accentuated by prominent cheekbones and a double chin. Her eyes are magnified behind thick-rimmed spectacles, which contribute to an overall impression of intellectual intensity or perhaps even eccentricity. A slight upward curve defines her lips, suggesting a subtle amusement or wry observation.
The artist employed a limited palette dominated by muted grays and browns, with touches of red for the lips and white for the collar and highlights on the face. The background is a uniform gray, devoid of detail, which serves to isolate the figure and direct attention solely towards her countenance. Brushstrokes are visible, lending a sense of immediacy and spontaneity to the work.
The womans hairstyle, neatly arranged in curls atop her head, contrasts with the somewhat exaggerated rendering of her facial features. She wears a high-necked blouse adorned with delicate lace, which adds a touch of formality to the composition. The overall effect is one of studied informality; the subject appears both dignified and slightly absurd.
Subtly, theres an element of psychological probing at play. The artist doesn’t merely depict physical appearance but seems interested in conveying something about the woman’s character – perhaps a sense of intelligence tempered by a certain self-awareness or even a gentle irony directed towards societal expectations of femininity and beauty. The distortion of features could be interpreted as a means of revealing an inner truth, stripping away superficiality to expose a more complex personality. The portrait avoids sentimentality, instead offering a candid and somewhat unconventional portrayal of its subject.